.floatimg-left-hort { float:left; } .floatimg-left-caption-hort { float:left; margin-bottom:10px; width:300px; margin-right:10px; clear:left;} .floatimg-left-vert { float:left; margin-top:10px; margin-right:15px; width:200px;} .floatimg-left-caption-vert { float:left; margin-right:10px; margin-bottom:10px; font-size: 12px; width:200px;} .floatimg-right-hort { float:right; margin-top:10px; margin-left:10px; margin-bottom:10px; width: 300px;} .floatimg-right-caption-hort { float:left; margin-right:10px; margin-bottom:10px; width: 300px; font-size: 12px; } .floatimg-right-vert { float:right; margin-top:10px; margin-left:10px; margin-bottom:10px; width: 200px;} .floatimg-right-caption-vert { float:left; margin-right:10px; margin-bottom:10px; width: 200px; font-size: 12px; } .floatimgright-sidebar { float:right; margin-top:10px; margin-left:10px; margin-bottom:10px; width: 200px; border-top-style: double; border-top-color: black; border-bottom-style: double; border-bottom-color: black;} .floatimgright-sidebar p { line-height: 115%; text-indent: 10px; } .floatimgright-sidebar h4 { font-variant:small-caps; } .pullquote { float:right; margin-top:10px; margin-left:10px; margin-bottom:10px; width: 150px; background: url(http://www.dmbusinessdaily.com/DAILY/editorial/extras/closequote.gif) no-repeat bottom right !important ; line-height: 150%; font-size: 125%; border-top: 1px solid; border-bottom: 1px solid;} .floatvidleft { float:left; margin-bottom:10px; width:325px; margin-right:10px; clear:left;} .floatvidright { float:right; margin-bottom:10px; width:325px; margin-right:10px; clear:left;}
U.S. architects reported rising interest in environmentally friendly bathroom and kitchen fixtures and little interest in upscale features as the country dropped into a recession last year, the American Institute of Architects (AIA) said.

Designers for the residential market were asked to include water-saving toilets, LED lighting, hand-held shower heads and floors and countertops made of recyclable materials, the AIA said. They were also asked to include features, such as walk-in showers and larger pantries, that provide easier access for an aging and less mobile population.

Also, the AIA said its survey of residential designers determined that business conditions were at an all-time low. The organization’s index of inquiries for new residential projects dropped to 18.4 from 28 in the third quarter of 2008.

The organization said that due to the weak economy, it had anticipated a decline in requests for move-up and vacation homes. However, it was caught off guard by the first-ever drop in requests for additions, alterations and kitchen and bath remodeling.

The AIA survey found that these construction

segments struggled last year:

• Additions/alterations, -14 percent;

• Kitchen and bath remodeling, -16;

• Custom/luxury home market, -52;

• First-time buyer/affordable-home market, -65;

• Townhouse/condo market, -66;

• Move-up home market, -71; and

• Second/vacation home market, -77.